-be awed by scenery, learn about native culture
The lands belonging to the Navajo Nation include some of the most scenic places on earth, such as Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, and parts of the Grand Canyon. Travel here to be awed by these places, to learn about native American culture and history, and to see how the Navajo live today.
For family travelers:
- here's an opportunity for an "edu-cation", a vacation with education too
- you can also easily add recreation such as rafting, hiking, houseboating (-- see Arizona Highlights).
Brief Background: Navajo and Tourism
The Navajo Nation is the largest tribe in the US, and has the largest reservation: the Reservation covers 27000 square miles in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, and is bigger than 10 of the 50 states. The Navajo people number over 250,000 and have a tribal government.
The Navajo are moving forward with several new tourist initiatives. Interestingly, the Navajo - alone among tribes in Arizona-- have several times rejected casino-building, though one opening in 2008. Meanwhile, other types of tourism are being tried. The Navajo now own, or are partners in, several hotels including the new-in-2008 The View, with stunning location in Monument Valley. Also new-- and a good starting point for visitors to learn about Navajo culture-- is the ExploreNavajo Interactive Museum, in Tuba City, whose exhibits are said to be "the first time the Navajo people have told their own story to visitors".
Visitors have been coming to the Navajo lands for decades to enjoy the beauty of Monument Valley and other amazing places. In future, you can expect to be welcomed in new ways by the Navajo Nation, and hopefully in ways that will benefit the Navajo as never before.
- continue to some highlights of Navajo Tourism
- more about visiting Navajoland, and about Traveling Among the Navajo - What to Expect
- Help A Navajo Elder - volunteer program
- highly recommended, for teen and grown-up visitors: the Tony Hillerman series of mystery novels with two Navajo policemen as protagonists.
